A five hour ferry ride from Athens are the popular, abundant and picture-postcard Cycladic islands, epitomising the Greek islands atmosphere and image. Dazzling white buildings are offset by bright-blue church domes, while golden beaches meet an aquamarine sea, and they present good value for sun-seeking, relaxing-orientated visitors. Santorini, Paros Mykonos, Ios are more touristy, and have vigorously embraced the tourist industry; others, such as Andros, Kea, Serifos and Sikinos, are visited infrequently by foreigners but are favourites with holiday-makers from Athens. If you want to be seen, Mykonos, is glitzy and more expensive, with its sophisticated nightlife, superb beaches and chic boutiques. It is also the undisputed gay capital of Greece. The smaller Ios, is equally lively and attracts a more youthful, budget-minded party crowd who are too busy with the nightlife to notice the very average beaches, somewhat remote from the elevated settlements. Paros offers something for everyone, and is conveniently a hub for the ferries. Across the island are quaint villages, good uncrowded beaches, cheap accommodation and delicious food.

Santorini (also known as Thira) is regarded by many as the most spectacular of the Greek islands, not because of its beaches but the awe-inspiring sea-filled caldera, a vestige of what was probably the world's largest volcanic eruption, ever. The result is sheer cliffs and spectacular vistas sweeping a huge arch along its Western coast. The volcanic legacy has left black-sand beaches and the fascinating buried ancient city, excavated at Akritiri. These, together with charming remote rural villages perched on the cliffs edge, as well as hotsprings and a dormat volcano, makes it a popular tourist spot. If you want to escape the tourist hordes, Sikinos, Anafi and the tiny islands to the east of Naxos offer some respite.

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